Bert’s Breakdown: Sugar On Bradley-Alexander

DEVON ALEXANDER “THE GREAT” vs. TIMOTHY “DESERT STORM” BRADLEY

Saturday, January 29, 2011 from The Silverdome in Pontiac, MI

Live on HBO at 10:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. PT

BERT’S BREAKDOWN
By Bert Randolph Sugar (with Steve Small)


STRENGTHS OF BOTH FIGHTERS
TIMOTHY “DESERT STORM” BRADLEY – 26-0, 1 no-contest, (11 KO’s)

·         Bradley possesses fast hands and quick movements.

·         Likes to lean back when opponents throw power shots, making them lean in to reach him, then counters with looping overhand right.

·         Has experience against southpaws, Alexander being one, having fought four in his last 11 fights and winning all.

DEVON “THE GREAT” ALEXANDER – 21-0, (13 KO’s)

·         An elusive defensive fighter, Alexander has quick hands.

·         Moves to right well, effective against right-handed fighters, like Bradley.

·         Possesses a good, stiff jab

WEAKNESSES OF BOTH FIGHTERS
BRADLEY

·         Goes right hand crazy, often winding up to throw.

·         Average power.

·         Tends to drop hands in exchanges.

ALEXANDER

·         An arm puncher, with below-average power.

·         Drops hands after he punches, leaving his chin exposed.

·         Likes to stand in and wing punches rather than using his speed and elusiveness on the outside

WHAT EACH MUST DO TO WIN
BRADLEY

·         Needs to keep Alexander in front of him by keeping his lead left foot outside of Alexander’s lead right.

·         Must use his left hook more and not depend solely on winging right hands.

·         Needs to tighten up his defense against the fast-punching Alexander.

ALEXANDER

·         Needs to keep jabbing and turning Bradley.

·         Needs to stay outside where he has an advantage rather than engaging Bradley inside in a slugfest.

·         Must keep moving to his right, away from Bradley’s right, where he can dictate the action.

GREATEST JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHT (140 lbs.) Champions

1.       AARON PRYOR—WBA champion 1980-’83 (Record in jr. welterweight title bouts: 9-0)

2.       JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ—WBC champion 1989-’94; 1994-’96 (Record in title bouts:13-2-1)

3.       BARNEY ROSS—World champion 1933-’35 (record in jr. welterweight title bouts: 8-0)

4.       ANTONIO CERVANTES—WBA champion 1972-’76;1977-’80 (Record title bouts: 19-3)

5.       KOSTYA TSZYU—IBF champion 1995-’97; WBC 1999-2004 (Record in title bouts: 14-2)

6.       NICOLINO LOCHE—WBA champion 1968-’72 (Record in jr. welterweight title bouts: 6-2)

7.       DUILIO LOI—World champion 1960-’62; WBA 1962 (Record in title bouts:  4-2)

8.       WILFRED BENITEZ—WBA champion 1976-’77 (Record in jr. welterweight  title bouts: 4-0)

9.       CARLOS ORTIZ—World champion 1959-’60 (Record in jr. welterweight title bouts: 3-2)

10.   TONY CANZONERI—World champion 1931-’32: 1933 (Record in title bouts: 3-3)

–Bert Randolph Sugar

Co-author of

“The Ultimate Book of Boxing Lists